Machine for cutting vegetables into cubes



March 29, 1949. G. w. URSCHEL ETAI- '2,465,670

MACHINE FOR CUTTING VEGETABLES INTO CUBES Filed Jan. 17, 1945' l 5 sheets-sheet 1 March 29, 1949.

G. W. URSCHEL Erm.

MACHINE CUTTING VEGETABLES INTO CUBES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 17, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 y ZZ J .2 ,Mw mw/@Ze wwwa. j A f 0 w v Q f 7 @Wir ya. w m ,f @y m f/ L a@ g h HMJY w||rlvi| )M /1/.////////////7/////// .we D .J y /l/ M )f 1 Maz-ch 29, 1949. G. w. URscHEL ETA! MACHINE FOR CUTTING VEGETABLES INTO CUBES Filed Jan. 17, 1945 Patented Mar. 29, 1949 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR ,CTTlNG VEGETABLES ceased Applicationjanuary Av1,7, 1945,.'Serial No; 573,242

(Cl. 'I4678.)

1 8 Claims. 1

'This invention concerns apparatusfor sectionali'zing or dividing materials into smaller discrete portions by a series ofy cutting operations. The invention is susceptible of embodiment in 4a machine particularly well adapted forrcuttingvegetables, pitted or cored fruits, meats and the like, into slices, strips, cubes and 'flat-squares or rectangles. In the machine hereinafter described the steps of slicing, cuttin'gtheslicesinto strips and cutting the strips into'icubes arey perform-ed in the order recited at successiveistages, and, while certain novel features'obtain inthe respec-l tive physically spaced sections of the machine where the different cutting operations iocca-rf,- there is a decided interdependence offtheseffeatures in adapting the machinelto'successfully per; form the complete series of operations, wherefore a unity or integrated 'whole exists in`v the various machine sections. H

One important object of the invention `is the 20 provision of an' 'improvedl slicing constituent wherein the material to be slicedis propelled centrifugally about aY chamber wall icyclically lacross a wall opening .and against the cutting edge of a rotating disc knife Awhich slices; portions" from "the material :and facilitates their discharge outwardly through the wall opening. Such :an arrange ment is fast in operation sin-ce the material can be fed into thechamb'er' without ypre-arrangement and also in View of the high speed With which the materialis propelled into -the slicing knife. Because ofthe "centrifugalfoceiactingff the material in the slicing chamber, it aiutomatically assumes-affixed position with respect to the chamber wall sothe sliceslwill havepar allel severed faces.' Only casualfa'tte'ntion is ref quired of the machine attendant -tdsee that the articles operated uponAvare-collectively supplied at :the rate of machine capacity, as distinguished from individualI manipulation and setting fof the articles in the machine. Use of the rotating discI knife adapt-s -the machine foi-operating eilci'en't`l ly upon meats, fruits'with toughfibrous cores and vegetables contaiiing-tougffibersor having'- outer .peels or skins, vas' those ofthe onion, thaty tend to simply fold'over'the edge -of' alixed knife and clog themachine or atleast cause some of the material to be mashed upon comingrincontact with the thus sheathed vcutting edge until the knife is cleared.

"another object is the provision in s sectionalizing` cutting machine, of an improved'arrangenient Vwherebyfthe materialV in the'ou-rse of proc? essiiigis eaused te fon-ewa substantienystrelght 'th so the operating speed need not be limited by the necessity of changing the direction of ow for the material. This is accomplished by discharging the sliced material -onto a straight conveyor belt flight placed substantially parallel to the trajectory of the discharged slices and leading directly toa plane cutting block surface flush therewith and comprising an element of an assembly for cutting the slices into strips. The arrangement is also such that the straight course lcontinues from the strip cutting assembly into an'assembly for cutting the strips into shorter pieces. Straight line passage of the material through the machine between the cutting inf strumentality assemblies as well as within the assemblies themselves has been found to materially increase the speed attainable Without iinminence of misoperation and clogging.

Another object isthe provision in a strip-cutting assembly of a bank of disc knives having their cutting edges serrated to improve their cutting eiiiciency and to augment their tendency to pull the material which is to be cut into the assembly, This is an additional factor contribut` .x ing'to the high ope-rating speed of the machine embodiment herein described of the invention.

A further object is the provision of a cutting block surface with narrow grooves for receiving edge portions of the strip-cutting disc knives for cooperating therewith in completely severing the material into separate strips.

A further object is the provision of a new compressing roller structure with axially spaced circumferential ribs cooperable with thel belt 'i flight for compressing and feeding the sliced material into the strip-cutting assembly and said ribs being meshed with the strip-cutting knivesr toreduce the spacing therebetween Wherefore re;-` silient material being operated upon will have less time to recover from its compressed condition incurred between the belt flight and compressing roller before entry between the knives and the cutting block. This feature has special utility when operating upon a matted layer of loose material such las spinach leaves and stalks.. The

invention further contemplated the formation of the preferred embodiment. thereof hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying draw; il'lgswwherein:l .y

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine constituting' a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating feed disc, strip cutting and dicing knife Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of'` one of the circular slicing knives;

ing s2 centaine. a shaft 33, Figi. which has a pulley 34 fixed to its rear end as shown in Fig. 1.

This pulley drives a belt 35 which is in driving relation with a pulley 36 rotatively fixed to the rear end of the shaft I2, A second pulley, 31, fixed.

tc the shaft 33 is driven by a belt 38 and a pulley 36 which rotates with the .motor armature shaft 4I.

Fig. 6 is a View taken edgewise of the knife j illustrated in Fig. 5 and taken on the line 6 6 in that figure; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line IQ-1` of Fig. 5.

The apparatus is adapted to operate upon large pieces of material such as those designated P, P and P in Fig. 3. These pieces of material may be any cuttable substancev such as fruit or vegetable articles or pieces of meat. Briefly, in

the operation of the apparatus, impeller blades direction of the arrow appearing just above said belt flight.

When using the slicing complement, comprising the casing C and the slicing knife I4, the material, as fruit, vegetables and meat, operated upon is usually of a crushable nature and the feeding roller I 6 will be removed so as not to press against the slices. contemplated for use most generally when the belt flight is loaded with a layer of compressible Roller assembly I6 is f bunchy material such as spinach or other leafy l material with stems and stalks and not necessarily issued from they slicing complement. Therefore, assuming the roller I6 to be absent, the belt night will slide the slices as S' onto the upper surface of a transfer plate I'I` which col operates with a bank of slicing knives I8' for cutting the Yslices into a series of strips ST. vAs

`lese strips ST emerge fromA between the strip cutting knives I8 they are acted upon by knives I9 carried by a rotatable frame 2| which` rotates with a shaft 22. Knives I9 cooperate with a cutting edge 2e of a stripper plate 23 in cuttingv the strips ST into ldice-like cubes CU.

The apparatus is mounted upon a plate 24, which is preferably the top of a bench or table, and receives driving force from an electric motor M suitably secured to said plate. v Also upon the plate 24 is a standard 25 which supportsy the casing C. A portion 25 of the casing wall I3 is hingedly connected at 2l to the remainder of the circular wall and is supported by means not shown in an adjustable manner whereby the distance of the lower or free end 28 of this wall portion radially of the circular wall from the edge of the slicing knife I5 may be selectively determined. A bearing 29 projects axially from the rear wall of the casing to which it is secured. This bearing contains and provides a journal for the shaft I 2. Bearing 29 is connected with the upper end of the standard 25. The standard 25! in addition to supporting the bearing 29 and the casing C also supports a vertical bearing 3l, Figs. 3 and 4, and a horizontal ybearing 32, Fig. 1,

both formed integrally with said casing. Bearf A beveled gear 42 on the front end of the shaft "33 drives a vertical shaft 45, Figs. 1 and 3, throughv a companion lbeveled gear 46. A flanged knife carrying head 48 for the disc knife I4 is secured Vto the lower end of the shaft 45 illustrated in Fig. 3 and a clamping plate 49 together with machine screws as 5I anchor said knife onto the head. In Fig. 3 it can be seen that the slicing knife is arranged substantially tangentially of 'thewall I3 at a transverse edge 52 thereof and is of sulcient diameter to project beyond such wall edge. Adjacently to its edge 52 the wall I3 has'a beveled face 53 which adapts the upper i'lat face of the slicing knife to occupy the position of contiguity with the Wall edge 52.A It will also be observed that the vupper face of the slicing knife I5 continuesy as a plane surface al1 the Way to its circular cutting edge E while the lower fac-.l of this knife is beveled at 547 to lform the cutting edge. This arrangement minimizes any tendenc;7 for the knife to deect and disturb the position of the uncut portions. of j the'articles as P relaA tively to the circular wall I3', while. providing .clearance at the lower edge of lthe knife for the slices as S to ydischarge tangentially onto the ben flight F.

The feeding and compressing roller i6 has an enlarged central portion 52v and reduced end portions 53 and 54 respectively journall'ed in bearing brackets 55 and 56 suitably supported upon the plate 24 at opposite sides of the feed belt I5. A series of circumferential grooves are cut in the enlarged portion of the roller "i to form axially spaced circular ribs 58. Prior to cutting the grooves 5'I in the roller, its surface l 'is formedy with a fluted periphery so that eac'l of the Icircular ribs 58 has a uted peril `whereon there are circumferentially s,J 9:1

apices 59 which improve the traction of t` Vroller with certain kinds of material passed. he l tween the roller and the belt flight F.r Po' x for driving the feeding and compressing rol? mature shaft 4I. rFrom the pulley 6I the pox, istransmitted through a belt 62, a pulle. fixed to one end oi a shaft 64 journaleii, bearing 65 supported on the plate 24. the shaft 64 power is transmitted from 66 andl on to a gear 61 fixed to the sha '"t 22 carries the dicing knife frameV 2l and nalled in the bearing brackets 55 and 56 gear 6'I driving force lis transmitted to g; fixed to a shaft 69 which is also journ the bearing brackets 55 and 56 and wh ries the assembly of the slicing knives front end of the shaft 69 has a gear 1I xed t`;r

to Iand this gear meshes -with and drives a v. gear 'I2 which is fixed to a shaft 'I3 journcl' 1n the brackets 55 and 56 and carryin n i i pulley 'I4 for the feeding belt I5. Tie f 5.x, i portion o f the wide gear I2 meshes n. drives a gear 'I5 carried upon the reduced t meter front end 53 of the roller I6. The just described power trainof gears and shafts causes rotation of the feedingand compressing roller I6 (when this roller is mounted on-the machine),

' the slicing knives I8 and the dicingknife frame face of the transfer plate for receiving lower edge portions of the slicing dises I8 to 'eonperate with these discs in cutting completely through the slices of material fed across'thetransferiplate and between said discs. the discs I8 which are constrained for rotation with the shaft 69 is determined andimaintained-f by collars 18 placed on the shaft 69 .alternately with said discs.

A further expedient employed for improving -the'ability' of the slicing discs lrto cut the strips ofmaterial into slices is the formation of serrated cutting-edges upon-thesediscsas illustrated.v in Figs. 5, 6 and 7; rOne'lside of each disc is provided with a pluralityof radial grooves 14S which intersect the sharpened-cutting edge 8I,-thereby providing vradially projecting sharpened vedge portions -82 -and radially receding sharpened edge portions 83 alternately withfthe portions 82. VThe projecting vand rec'edingfsharpenededge portions e 82"and"83-are ois'et with respect-toene another axially of the discs-asillustrated in-Figs'. 6 and '7 sothat thecuttng-edgefollowsatortuous path circumferentially-about its disc. This constructionV augments thet'endency-for the knives-to draw th'eslicesyin'to` the space between them and the transfer plate, this improved drawing vtendency being particularly useful when the apparatus is operatingupon meat slices.

The stripperv plate 23 lis also -preferably supported between the rbrackets 55 and 56. Parallel grooves extending'y transversely of the stripper plate are cut-in its lower portion to receive the slicing discs Alfand'toi'form Vvstripper fingers 84 which project between said-discs andprevent ,the slices of material from being carried around by and between theV discs.l Lower edges 85 of-thesev stripper fingers guide the strips for causing them to project beyond -the cuttingedge 20 which cooperates with the dicing knives 'I3 on the rotary frameZl. -Y

When the `machine is used for sectionalizing compressible bulky material asA a heteroger'ie'ously arranged mass 'ofispinach' leaves and stalks, thecompressing roller IB will' be assembled as shown and preferably the lcasing rC and the slicing knife I4 will be removed afterloosening their attach# ment tothe bracket25. This also necessitates re-l moval of the driving belts 36 and 38, but the time involved for effecting'such adaptation of the machine is normally insignificant when considering that many tons of material may be treated thereby before changing the adaptation. Assuming the compressing roller to be installed and the casing'C and the slicingknife I4 to be removed or elevated to provide greater clearance therebetween and the belt flight F, the bulky material will be deposited on the belt iiight in a sufficiently thin stream or matted layer to pass between the roller and the belt iiight incident to being compressed into a relatively compact mass. Positive traction of the roller with the material is enhanced by the peripheral apices 59, and 'downward deection of the belt flight beneath the roller is resisted by an idler roller R, Fig. 3. When The" correct spacing of thus compacted, the material is more readily operated on by the strip-cutting knives i8. To minimize partial recovery of the compressed material from its compressed state prior to reaching the strip-cutting knives, these knives and the ribs on the roller I6 are meshed to reduce the distance betweenthese assemblages..Subsequent to the knives .|815cutting; the compressed material into strips, these strips are cut into short pieces by the knife assembly 2l in the above described manner.

Having thus described the preferred embodinie'nt''of the invention with the view of clearly illustrating the same, we claim:

Li We claimal: :'1; .g 1-.Jn a sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamber receivable of cuttable material, said chamber rhavin'gacircular' side wall wherein there is an opening which is narrow circumferentially of the wall, a rotatable knife having a circular cutting edge arranged generally tangentially to said chamber 'side wall and disposed with a portion of such cutting 'edgeprojected partially across said opening, impellermeans rotatable in the chamber to propel cuttable material therein about said wall and against the knife cutting edge, said knife being operable to sever a slice from the material propelled thereagainst and facili-V tate issuance of the slice through said opening generally tangentially of the chamber side wall, meansfor lrotating the knife to expedite such slicing of the material,` a conveyor belt flight disposed for receiving the sliced material issued from said opening, acircumferentially ribbed compressing roller arranged transversely of ithe belt flight for cooperation therewith in compressing the slicedmaterial and feeding the same in the direction of movement of such belt flight,

a' cutting block disposed on the opposite side of the eompressingroller' fro-m said chamber and having a face extending' transversely of the belt flight and substantially flush therewith to receive the sliced material vissuing from between such flight and the compressing roller, narrow knife receiving slots formed in said cutting block face lengthwise of the belt iiight, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of thel belt' flight, said -knives `being, meshed with the compressing roller ribs and having portions oftheir cutting edges projecting into respective of the cutting block slots, means for rotating the bank of knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the sliced material into strips `as-it issues from between the compressing roller and the belt ight, a stripper '1 bar having fingers projecting between the knivesinsaid bank to deflect the strips from between th'e'knives and thereby cooperate with such knives and the cutting block in issuing the strips endwise from such knives, and a dicing knife assembly comprising a blade carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of the belt ight and blades thereon carried successively against the issuing strips to cut the saine into shorter particles.

2. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamber receivable of cuttable material, said chamber having a circular side wall wherein there is an opening which is narrow circumferentially of the wall and has a radially outer edge at an approach side thereof and a radially inner edge at the opposite side thereof, a rotatable disc knife arranged generally tangentially to said circular wall of the chamber and disposed with a segmental portion protruding beyond said radially inner edge to place the cutting edge of the segmental portion radially inwardly of the chamber from t?, the approach side of said opening, impeller means rotatable in the chamber to propel cuttable material therein about the circular wall in the direction to approach said opening from its approach side just prior to traversing the same, said knife being operable to slice a portion from the material as it traverses .said opening and to facilitater issuance of the sliced portion from the chamber" through said opening, means for rotating the knife to expedite such slicing of the material, conveyor means having a surface disposed for receiving the sliced portion issuing from said chamber and reaching from said opening to transfer the sliced portion therefrom, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller arranged transversely of the conveyor means surface and with the circumferential peripheries of said ribs in opposed spaced relation thereto for cooperation therewith in compressing the sliced portion and issuing the same from therebetween, the peripheries of said rJos having circumferentially spaced apices thereon to augment traction with the sliced portion, means for rotating the roller to move said opposed peripneries of the ribs in the direction reached by the conveyor means surface, a `cutting block having a surface disposed adjacently o tile conveyor means surface for traversal by tn.,- A:sung compressed portion of the material, narrow knie receiving slo-ts formed in the cutting lock race lengthwise of the reach of the conv. o.' means surface, a bank of circular axially- ..acea knives rotatable about an axis transversely khe reach of the conveyor means surface, said fnvcs being meshed with the` compressor roller t. and having their cutting edges serrated with tios thereof projecting into the cutting k s ots, means for rotating-the bankof knives c use their cooperation with the cutting block utng the sliced and com-pressed material` j stripsas it issues from between the roller the conveyor means, a stripper bar lhaving.. l 'f rs projecting betweeny the knives in said bank ect he strips from between the knives and .by assure issuance of the strips endwise from said knife bank and the cutting block, anne assembly comprising a blade carrier taable about an axis transversely of the consurface reachfand blades on and said carrier, when it rotates, succes- Lnto the issuing strip-s to cutv them into 3,;tcles. fn a sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamsgavable of cuttable material, said chamber g a circular side wall wherein there is an ,..ing which is narrow circumferentially of f e wall, a rotatable knife having a circular cutizzg edge arranged generally tangentially to said aber side wall and disposed with a portion sach cutting edge projected partially across aid opening, impeller means rotatable in the mser to propel cuttable material therein bout said wall and against the knife cutting rge, said knife being operable to sever a slice In the material propelled thereagainst and 'acilitate issuance of the slice through said openkg generally tangentially of the chamber side l' means for' rotating the knife to expedite auch slicing of the material, va conveyor belt "Tt disposed for receiving the sliced material 'ucd from said opening, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of the belt flight and substantially flush therewith to receive the sl'ced material from the belt night, narrow knife receiving slots formed in said cutting block face lengthwise of the beltlight, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable'about an 'axis transversely'of the belt flight, said knives having portions of their cutting edges projecting into respective of the cutting block slots, means for rotating the bank of knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the sliced material into strips as it issues from the belt flight, and a stripper bar having fingers projectingl between the knives in said bank to de flect the strips from between thelknives and thereby cooperate with such knives and the cutting block in issuing the strips endwise from such knives.

4. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamber receivable of cuttable material, said chamber having a circular side wall wherein there is an opening which is narrow circumferentially of the wall and has a radially outer edge at an approach side thereof and a radially inner edge at the opposite side thereof, a rotatable disc knife arranged generally tangentially to said circular wall of the chamber and disposed with a segmental portion protruding beyond said radially inner edge to place the cutting edge of the segmental portion radially inwardly of the charnber from the approach side of said opening, impeller meansrotatable in the chamber to propel cuttable material therein about the circular wall in the direction to approach said opening from its approach side just prior to traversing the same, said knife being operable to slice a portion from the material as it travers/es said opening and to facilitate issuance ofthe sliced portion from the'chamber through said opening, means for rotating the knife to expedite Isuch slicing of the material, conveyor means'having a f surface disposed for receiving the sliced portion issuing from said chamber and reaching from said opening to transfer the sliced portion therefrom, a cutting block having a surface disposed adjacentlyto the conveyor means surfacel vfor traversal by the sliced material issuing therefrom, narrow knife receiving slots formed inthe cutting block face lengthwisecf the reach of the conveyor means surface, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable .about an axis transversely of the reach of the conveyor means surface, said knives having their cutting edges serrated with a portion thereof projecting into the cutting block4 slots, means for rotating the bankl of knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block incutting the sliced material into strips as it issues from the conveyor means surface, and a stripper bar having fingers projecting between the knives in. said bank to deilect the strips from between the knives and thereby assure issuance of the strips endwise from between said knife bank and the cutting block.

5. In sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamber receivable of cuttable material, said chamber having a circular side wall wherein there is an opening which is narrow circumferentially of the wall and has a radially outer edge at an approach side thereof and a radially inner edge at the opposite Side thereof, a rotatable disc knife arranged generally tangentially to said circular wall of the chamber and disposed with a segmental portion protruding beyond said radially inner edge to place the cutting edge of the segmental portion radially inwardly of the chamber from the approach side of said opening, impeller means rotatable in the chamber to propel cuttable material therein about the circular wall in the direction to approach said opening from its approach side just prior to traversing the same, said knife being operable to slice a. portion from the material as it traverses said opening and incur discharge of the sliced portion generally tangentially from the chamber side Wall through said opening, and means for rotating the knife to expedite such slicing of the material.

6. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a chamber for cuttable material, said chamber having a circular side wall with a horizontal axis and an opening in the bottom of said sidewall, a section of said wall adjacent to and carrying an approach edge of said opening constituting an approach wall section and being disposed outwardly radially with respect to the opposite edge of said opening, a rotatable disc knife arranged generally horizontally and disposed with a segmental portion thereof projectingcontiguusly to and past said opposite edge toplace thecutting edge of such segmental portion radially inwardly of the chamber from the approach edge of the opening, means in the chamber Afor propelling the cuttable material about said side wall in the direction to cross said opening in approaching said knife, said knife being operable to slice a portion from the material asfittraverse's the opening and incur discharge of the sliced `portionoutwardly through said opening, means for rotating the knife to expedite such slicing of the material, conveyor means disposed beneath saidknife for receiving thesliced portion, 'and means for operate ing the conveyor meansf-,to convey the received sliced portion 'fromVv said openingA in :a direction generally diametricallyf of -said' knife. i: 7.; Ina sectionalizing,h cutting imachina-:corrveyormeans havinga surface for the supportof cuttable material lying/thereon and having a median along Which' the Vmaterial -is conveyed thereby, a cutting block having'aface extending transversely of said median and disposedy to'receive the material thereon as such-'material issues from the conveyor means, said face facing in the same direction as saidconveyor meanssurfaceya bank of axially spaced .knives .rotatable aboutfan axis transversely of said median and in opposed parallelism with the. cutting block :face to vplace portions of their edges of said knives contiguously with said face; said.`knife edges and marginal side portions contiguous therewithbeing serrated, and means for rotating said knives in :the direction to move said edgeportionsxin the directionnof issue of the *material from Vthezconveyonmeans to cause 'cooperation ofthe knives with the ycutting block in progressing the'material acrossdts face and cutting'the materialfinto'stripsasitfis so progressed.

8. In a sectionalizingfcutting machine," conveyor means'having a surface forthe support of cuttable material .lying thereon and havinga median along which the kmaterial' is. :conveyed thereby, a cutting blockhaving a face "extending transversely oi5-y said `median 'and 'disposed toreh ceivethe material iiatwise'. thereon as such mate.- rial issues' from the conveyor means, said face facing in the same direction,- as said conveyor means surface, narrow knife-receiving slots formed in the cutting block facelengthwise ofthe median, a bank of axially-spaced knives rotatable aboutA an axis transversely. of .said median', .said knives being serrated atftheirfedges' Tand at the marginalside portionsfcontiguous' with said edges,-

said'edges projecting into respective of the slots, and means for rotatingsaid knives in'xthe directi'onto move said :edge .portions. in fthe direction of'issu'e of fthe'nlaterial fromathecnnveyor means to cause cooperation of the knives with the cutting block in progressing the material across its face and cutting the material into strips as it is so progressed.

9. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, conveyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of said median and in proximate opposed relation with `the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing the material and feed- 'ing the same in the direction of conveyance by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of said median and disposed to Y receive the compressed material 'issuing from'between the conveyor means and the compressing roller; narrow knife receiving slots 'formed in the cutting block face lengthwise of the median, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median, said knives being meshed with the com- I'pressingL roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into' respective of the cutting block slots, means for rotating the knives to 'cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means, a stripper bar having fingers projecting between the knives tocooperate therewith in issuing the strips endwise from theknives, and a knife assembly comprising a bladel carrier rotatable about an axis transversely of said lcon.- veyor means median, andblades on such carrier and'carried thereby successively into the issuing strips to cut them into shorter particles.

10. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, conveyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying `thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, ra circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arrangedv transversely of said median and in proximate opposed relation with the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing ythe material and feeding theA same in the direction of conveyance by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a substantially flat face extending in substantial parallelism with the conveyor means surface and flush therewithv for receiving the compressed ma terial issuing fromv between the conveyor means and the A.compressing roller While guiding such material in anl essentially straight path, narrow knife receiving slots formedin the cutting block face lengthwiseof the median, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely .of said median, ,said knives being meshed with thecompressingroller ribs and havinglportions of their cuttingedgesY projecting into respectiveoflthe cuttingblock slots, and means for rotatingithe knivesY to cause their cooperation with` the Ycutting block incutting the compressed material.u into. strips as it issues from between ,the compressing roller and the. conveyor means.

11. In a sectionalizing machine, conveyor means having -a surface fory the support of cuttable material lying thereonand having a median alongwhicvh the material `is'ocnveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbedv compressing .roller assembly arranged transverselyof said Ymedian and with `the circumferential peripheries of said ribs in opposed spaced -relationiwith the conveyor means; surface foncooperation therewith in compressing the material and issuing the same therebetween, the peripheries of said ribs having circumferentially spaced apices thereon to augment traction of the roller assembly with the material, means for rotating the roller assembly to move the opposed portions of said rib peripheries in the direction of movement of the material by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of said median and disposed to receive the compressed material issuing from between the conveyor means and the compressing roller, narrow knife receiving slots formed in the cutting block face lengthwise of the median, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median, said knives being meshed with the compressing roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into respective of the cutting block slots, `means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block incutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means, and stripper fingers projecting between the knives to cooperate therewith in issuing the strips endwise from the knives.

12. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, conveyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of said median and in proximate opposed relation with the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing the material and feeding the same in the direction of conveyance by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of said median and disposed to receive the compressed material issuing from between the conveyor means and the compressing roller, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median, said knives being meshed with the cornpressing roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into close proximity with the cutting block, means for rotating the'knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means, the edges of said knives being serrated to augment their tendency to draw the material into cutting position therebetween and the cutting block, and stripper fingers projecting between the knives to cooperate therewith in issuing the strips endwise from the knives.

13. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, conveyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of said median and with the circumferential peripheries of said ribs in opposed spaced relation with the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing the material and issuing the same therebetween, the peripheries of said ribs having circumferentially spaced api-ces thereon to augment traction of the roller assembly with the material, means for rotating the roller assembly to move the opposed portions of said rib peripheries in the direction of movement of the material by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of said median and disposed to receive thev compressed material issuing from between the conveyor means and the compressing roller, narrow knife receiving slots formed in the cutting block face lengthwise of the' ymedian, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median, said knives being meshed with the compressing roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into respectiveof the cutting block slots, means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in 4cutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means, the edges of said knives being serrated to augment their tendency to draw the material into cutting position therebetweenand the cutting block, and stripper fingers projecting between the knives to cooperate therewith in issuing the strips endwise from the knives.

14. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, conveyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of said median and with the circumferential peripheries of said ribs in opposed spaced relation with the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing the material and issuing thesame therebetween, means for rotating the roller assembly to move the opposed portions of said rib peripheriesin the direction of movement of the material by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a substantially flat face constituting essentially a continuation of said conveyor means surface and thus disposed to receive the compressed material issuing from between the conveyor means and the compressing roller, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median, said knives being of less diameter than the compressing roller ribs and meshed therewith, and means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means.

15. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a conveyor belt having a relatively straight feeding night for the support and transfer of c uttable material lying thereon, means for operating the belt to move said flight endwise for conveying the material toward an end thereof, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of the belt ight, the peripheries of the roller ribs being in opposed relation with the belt flight to cooperate therewith in feeding the material and congurated to improvetraction with the material, a cutting block having a substantially flat face in substantial parallelism with the belt flight at the end thereof and substantially ush therewith to receive the material fed from between the roller assembly and the belt ight, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of the belt flight, said knives being of less diameter than the roller assembly ribs and meshed therewith, and means for rotating said knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the material into strips following issuance from between the roller assembly and the belt ight.

16. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a conveyor belt having a relatively straight feeding ight for the support and transfer of cuttable material lying thereon. means for operating the belt to move said flight endwise yfor conveying the materlal toward an end thereof, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of the belt flight, the peripheries of the roller ribs being in opposed relation with the belt ight to cooperate therewith in feeding the material and congurated to improve traction with the material, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of the belt flight at the end thereof and substantially flush therewith to receive the material fed from between the roller assembly and the belt ight, said face containing a plurality of laterally-spaced slots extending lengthwise of the belt flight, a bank of axiallyspaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of the belt ilight, said knives being meshed With the compressing roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into said slots, and means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the compressed material into strips as it is fed onto the cutting block face, and the edges of said knives being serrated for augmenting their tendency to draw the material across the cutting block face in the direction the material is fed thereonto.

17. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, a conveyor belt having a relatively straight feeding flight for the support and transfer of cuttable material lying thereon, means for operating the belt to move said flight endwise for conveying the material toward an end thereof, a cutting block having a face extending transversely of the belt ight at the end thereof and substantially ush therewith to receive the material as it is fed thereonto from the belt ight, said face facing in the same direction as said belt night, said face containing a plurality of laterally-spaced slots extending lengthwise of the belt flight, a bank of axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of the belt ight and arranged with portions of their cutting edges within said slots, and means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the material into strips as it is fed onto the cutting block face, and the edges of said knives being serrated for augmenting their tendency to draw the material across the cutting block face in the direction the material is fed thereunto.

18. In a sectionalizing cutting machine, con- 14 veyor means having a surface for the support of cuttable material lying thereon and having a median along which the material is conveyed thereby, a circumferentially ribbed compressing roller assembly arranged transversely of said median and in proximate opposed relation with the conveyor means surface for cooperation therewith in compressing the material and feeding the same in the direction of conveyance by the conveyor means, a cutting block having a substantially at face extending in substantial parallelism with the conveyor means surface and flush therewith for receiving the compressed material issuing from between the conveyor means and the compressing roller while guiding such material in an essentially straight path, narrow knife receiving slots formed in the cutting block face lengthwise of the median, a bank of circular axially-spaced knives rotatable about an axis transversely of said median and spaced less distantly perpendicularly from said cutting block face than the axis of the compressing roller structure is spaced from such face, said knives being meshed with the compressing roller ribs and having portions of their cutting edges projecting into respective of the cutting block slots, and means for rotating the knives to cause their cooperation with the cutting block in cutting the compressed material into strips as it issues from between the compressing roller and the conveyor means.

GERALD W. URSCHEL. WILLIAM E. URSCHEL. JOE R. URSCHEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 397,544 Gordon Feb. 12, 1889 414,766 Fischer Nov. 12, 1889 819,862 Cutler May 8, 1906 1,007,721 Meyer Nov. 7, 1911 1,729,611 Forrest Oct. 1, 1929 2,024,353 Goodman Dec. 17, 1935 2,162,122 Resch June 13, 1939 2,242,557 Urschel et al. May 20, 1941 2,349,212 Urschel et al May 16, 1944 

